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Check Engine + Trac Ctrl lights = dirty camshaft position sensor?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by minameismud, Dec 13, 2011.

  1. Dec 13, 2011 at 4:06 AM
    #1
    minameismud

    minameismud [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Only 2500 miles on my truck. When I started my truck yesterday leaving work, both the Check Engine and Traction Control lights were on. Truck seemed to be running fine. I didn't notice any loss of power, hesitation, or rough idling during my 30 minute drive home (both city streets & interstate). I haven't taken the truck off-road (ok, twice I had to turn around in a dirt lot, but that's it), and I have towed a utility trailer loaded with furniture a few times. Yesterday morning was the first time I'd driven it in a really heavy rain.

    I have a stealership 3 minutes from home, so I stopped in there to get it checked out. The service writer said it was a "dirty camshaft position sensor", and {see below for exact ticket wording} Total time from drop-off to pickup was only 45 minutes, and the shop tech had time to test drive it, so whatever he did couldn't have taken that long.

    1. Anyone heard of this?
    2. Wtf does "OCU" stand for that indicates the camshaft position sensor?
    3. Do you guys think this is more of a "wasn't properly installed at the factory" issue?
    4. Is this something I can take care of, or something that I need to watch, kinda like checking my oil?
     
  2. Dec 13, 2011 at 6:13 AM
    #2
    Large

    Large Red

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    If they fixed it & the lights came off it probably won't be back. Never heard of that although my tech level isn't near a lot of people's on here, someone else will probably chime in.
     
  3. Dec 13, 2011 at 6:18 AM
    #3
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Sounds like BS because that shouldn't cause the TRAC lights to come on. You sure it wasn't "OCV"?
     
  4. Dec 13, 2011 at 6:30 AM
    #4
    minameismud

    minameismud [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ah, coulda been a V. I was about to ask what "OCV" is, but like a good forum member, I actually used the search. Amazing. Anyway, they couldn't have had it in the shop for more than 30 minutes, and at least five of that was pulling codes. So, maybe 25 minutes of labor max? Is that enough to do anything with the OCV? Or do you think they just cleared the trouble codes and gave me a bullsh!t answer?

    Reason I would give the "camshaft position sensor" reason consideration is that my parents had a 99 silverado with a bad one of those from the factory. It'd only start once out of every four or eight tries. Once started, it ran fine.
     
  5. Dec 13, 2011 at 6:44 AM
    #5
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    There are about 14 different codes for the cam shaft sensors. I wish I knew what codes your truck actually had.


    For those playing the home game, OCV = Oil Control Valve. This valve is part of the VVT and is what supplies oil to retard/advance the cam shafts.
     
  6. Dec 14, 2011 at 4:15 AM
    #6
    minameismud

    minameismud [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok, finally pulled my head outta my ass and re-read the service sheet. Here's what it says exactly:

    Yes, it says "OCU". I got confused and thought OCU was a sensor. Anywho, I looked up the P0012 error code in this thread - "'A' Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)".

    So: new thoughts?
     
  7. Dec 14, 2011 at 4:44 AM
    #7
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    I'm thinking U = Unit, or they simply misspelled OCV. What oil are you using?

    FSM page for code P0012.
     
  8. Dec 14, 2011 at 7:48 AM
    #8
    BlueT

    BlueT Well-Known Member

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    Daaamn thats no good. Makes you wonder where else dirt went. What oil filter you have and when last change happened ?
     
  9. Dec 14, 2011 at 3:28 PM
    #9
    Tacoma Mike

    Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

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    Don't be surprised if it comes on again.........
     
  10. Dec 14, 2011 at 4:21 PM
    #10
    minameismud

    minameismud [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Factory. Whatever was installed in Mexico. I haven't had the oil/filter changed yet - it's only got 2500 miles on it.
     
  11. Dec 14, 2011 at 4:32 PM
    #11
    NelsonTacoma

    NelsonTacoma This is my derpawayinator!!!!!

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    This is exactly right. I've seen that happen numerous times. If the CEL is on the VSC gets disabled because it uses engine data to make some of its decisions. The VSC system doesn't know what is wrong just that the CEL is on and that's all that matters.
     
  12. Dec 14, 2011 at 5:15 PM
    #12
    Tacoma Mike

    Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

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    I think they just cleared it and sent him.
     
  13. Dec 14, 2011 at 5:56 PM
    #13
    Brandon###

    Brandon### Well-Known Member

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    Did they at least rotate the air in your tires after they "cleaned" the OCU?
     
  14. Dec 14, 2011 at 7:24 PM
    #14
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    1. This is a new one to me.

    2. No idea.

    3. Probably

    4. I wouldn't give it another thought unless that light comes on again.

    Everyone who wants to hate on the dealership techs should just chill out and give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm a service tech too, and I know that it's not always cut and dry, weird stuff does happen, and most of us are doing the best we can to help our customers. It's entirely possible that the tech knows his stuff and went straight to the root of the problem because he's efficient and well trained. I spend most of my time on service calls trying to convince my customers that I'm not a thief, liar, incompetent, going to start their house on fire, etc. I can't for the life of me figure out why fast and efficient has to equal retard and thief to some people.

    Until that light comes back on, the OP should just enjoy driving what is most likely going to be a long lasting reliable rig.
     
  15. Dec 14, 2011 at 7:28 PM
    #15
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    This sounds like logical troubleshooting. If their is an accessable screen to clean out, that would make perfect sense to do so.
     
  16. Dec 14, 2011 at 8:05 PM
    #16
    Brandon###

    Brandon### Well-Known Member

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    Well whenever you've been lied to by so many dealer techs over the years, it's a normal reaction to distrust them.
     
  17. Dec 14, 2011 at 8:10 PM
    #17
    Toyoghi

    Toyoghi Well-Known Member

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    +1
     
  18. Dec 14, 2011 at 8:23 PM
    #18
    Toyota Tech31

    Toyota Tech31 Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can't see.

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    ^^^This^^^
    ^^^And this^^^
    Yes, there is in fact a screen and it is possible to "clean" it out, but not likely the problem.

    If i were a gamblin man, i would bet that the light will be back very soon. At which point the dealer will more than likely be replacing the VVT-I cam gears just like all the other vehicles we have that get this same code.
     
  19. Dec 14, 2011 at 8:24 PM
    #19
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Just saying that at the moment the OP has a good running truck with no trouble lights on and plenty of warranty left. Warranty valid anywhere he's likely to drive to with his truck. It breaks, Toyota pays. Why stress? Too much more to life. If something comes up later, deal with it then.
     
  20. Dec 14, 2011 at 8:28 PM
    #20
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Here's a guy with the experience and knowledge!

    So, what are you seeing fail? Are the gears stripping out? Or is there some sort of spring loaded hub on the end of the camshafts? I've seen pictures, just don't understand exactly what's going on in there.

    And just to stir the pot....where is this screen? Can an experienced tech clean it in 20 mins, or is the tech full of crap? Would that be your first step if this showed up in your service bay? Or would you order cam gears immediately on a 2500 mile truck? Some sort of break in debris or shavings in a wire screen inside the motor seems plausible to an uninformed guy like me.
     

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